Tag Archives: Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe

“Free Body Scan” dealers face arrest

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The Health Professions Authority Zimbabwe (HPA) and Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), will soon arrest all dealers that have been offering illegal “free body scan” services.

The sprouting of the “free body scan” service has seen several agents standing in streets, offering fliers to passers by and even sending messages in WhatsApp groups, offering their service to members of the public.

In a joint statement, HPA and MCAZ revealed that the “magnetic resonance machines are being used by unqualified and unauthorized personnel who then proceed to prescribe and sell medicines.

“In conjunction with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the two Authorities will be undertaking investigations and confiscating all such offensive equipment as well as prosecuting the persons operating the said machines illegally.  “At the same time, the medicines will be confiscated (both registered and unregistered) from unlicensed persons and unlicensed premises.”

HPA and MCAZ had “noted with concern the sprouting of unauthorized use of dubious magnetic resonance machines offering a service popularly called “full body scan.”

“It has been noted that these alleged magnetic resonance machines are being used by unqualified and unauthorized personnel who then proceed to prescribe and sell medicines (both conventional and complementary) for chronic conditions to the unsuspecting public. “This poses a serious risk of misdiagnosis and mistreatment to the public.

“These acts are in contravention of several statutes. The Health Professions Act (Chapter 27:19) Section 126, stipulates that anyone who is not registered on the designated register who: for gain practices a profession or calling, pretends by any means whatsoever to be on the register or uses any name, title, description or symbol indicating or calculated to lead persons to infer that he is a member of a profession or calling of which a designated register is kept, shall be guilty of an offence liable to a fine or imprisonment or both.

“Therefore diagnosis and prescribing should only be conducted by qualified and licensed personnel.

“Selling medicines by unlicensed persons from unlicensed premises contravenes Sections 50 and 52 of the Medicines and Allied Substance Control (General) Regulations, 1991, SI 150 of 1991 as read with Section 106 of the same Regulations. 

“Also, the selling of unregistered medicines is in contravention of Section 29 (1) (a) of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act as read with Section 29 (1a) of the same Act,” read the statement.

It was added that, “mandated to safeguard the public, HPA and MCAZ urge the public to seek medical advice and treatment only from registered health professionals and institutions.

“These can be identified by the possession of a valid practicing certificate from the practitioner’s respective Council, a licence issued by HPA for registration of premises, and an MCAZ licence for both person and premises.

“It is an offence for an unlicensed individual to diagnose, treat, and sell medicines to the public,” further read the statement.

 

 

MCAZ, BoMRA strengthen ties

Richard Rukwata, MCAZ Director General (left) and Dr Seima Dijeng, BoMRA Chief Executive Officer, sign the MoU

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA), which will enhance collaborations in the field of medical products regulation, fostering mutual benefit and the sharing of expertise.

Richard Rukwata, MCAZ Director General and  Dr Seima Dijeng, BoMRA Chief Executive Officer, signed the MoU on behalf of both institutions at an event on Wednesday.

The initial MoU was signed on November 23, 2020 and was for three years.

“This renewed partnership underscores the commitment of both regulatory authorities to enhance collaboration in the field of medical products regulation, fostering mutual benefit and the sharing of expertise.

“The primary objective of the MoU is to promote and develop cooperation in medical products regulatory functions within Zimbabwe and Botswana.

“The partnership will enable both authorities to collaborate on a wide range of activities, including the regulation of medical devices, detection of substandard and falsified medicines, and the advancement of biotechnology and vaccine production.

“This collaboration will facilitate the exchange of information, support capacity-building initiatives, and foster mutual understanding of each party’s regulatory standards.

“It also aligns with our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of medical products in our respective countries,” said Rukwata.

He added: “MCAZ and BoMRA are committed to working together to achieve these objectives, which will not only strengthen our regulatory frameworks but also contribute to the protection of public health in the region.”

Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament, The Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act (MASCA) [Chapter 15.03].

MCAZ is responsible for protecting public and animal health by ensuring that accessible medicines and allied substances and medical devices are safe, effective and of good quality through enforcement and adherence to standards by manufacturers and distributors.

The mandate of MCAZ is to protect public health ensuring that medicines and medical devices on the market are safe, effective, and of good quality.

Richard Rukwata, MCAZ, Director General (left) and Dr Seima Dijeng, BoMRA, Chief Executive Officer